Ceiling-block.



Patented May I3, I902.

No. 699,9I4.

8. W. DIXON.

CEILING BLOCK.

{Application flled Aug. 19, 1901.)

(No Modal.)

NTED STATES PATENT FFICE.

CHARLES XVESLEY DIXON, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO THOMAS PEACOCK, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

CEILING-BLOCK.

SPECIFICAZXION forining part of Letters Patent No. 699,914, dated May 13, 1902. Application filed August 19, 1901. Serial No. 72,570. (No modal.)

T roll wwm itvnay concern: Be it known that 1, CHARLES WESLE DIXON, a citizen of-the United States, residing at Pittsburg, inthe county of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Ceiling-Block, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to cilinghlocks and the like; and the object of the'same-is to provide a simple and effective device of this class, insure perfect connection and contact, and facilitate the attaching and detaching of the devices and the insertion and reuewal of the fusible connections.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hercinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of a separated base-block and cap or cover embodying the features of the invention. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section of the two parts of the improved device shown assembled. Fig.,3 is a detail perspective view of one of the members ofthe improved device.

Fig. 4 is a transverse vertical section on the and 2 the cap or cover, the said parts being constructed similarlyto the ordinary devices for the removable reception of the cap or cover and to allow sufficient room for the terminais and fusible strips attached to the inner side or surface of the said cover, and at diametrically opposite points of the rim of the block slots are formed to provide seats for the inwardly-extending right-angular extremities 4 of exteriorly-located contact-pieces 5, which are vertically disposed and in the form of broad corrugatedresilient hooks open at the bottom for the reception et the usual leads or main cond uctors 6. The inner ends of the extremities 4 have reversely-arranged clownwardly-flared lips 7, adjacent to outrance- 5o throats 8, leading to open spaces 9 between said inner ends of the extremitics and the of this class, the base-bloc]: havin g a cavity 3,

lower ends of non-cond ucting space-blocks 10,

of the same materialas the base-block and preferably forming an integral part of the latter, though said space-blocks may be made 5 5 separately and securod in place by any suitable means. The portions 11 of the side edges of the innerends oftheextremities4are turned upagainst the adjacent portions of the spaceblocks to close the spaces 9 at said points, s0 that-the devices turned into the latter and carried by the cover Will be limited in their movement and the full connection or assemblage ascertained with accuracy. The baseblock is also provided with screw-holes 12 for the securement of the same to a ceiling, wall, or other support, and, as clearly shown by Fig. 2, said block also has Vertical apertures 13, extending almost fully therethrough near the periphery for the insertion of securing- .7o screws 14 for the extremities 4 of the contactpieces 5.

The cap or cover 2, like the base-block, is formed of some 'suitable insulating material and constructed with a central recess 15, from Which an opening 16 leads through the center for the passage of the terminais 17. Adjacent to the said recess 15 the cover is formed with a projecting fiat ridge 18 to provide diametrically opposite segmental recesses 19, and in seat-slots at diametrically opposite points in the ridge metallic contact-strips 20 are secured and have ends 21, extending over the recesses 19 for engagement with the spaoes 9 between the extremiti es 4 of the contacbpieces 5 and the space-blocks 10 of the base-block t0 thereby conjunctively dispose the said ends 21 and extremities 4, the ends being turned into the spaces 9 through the throats 8. The recesses 19 are'also defined and separated by diametrically-arranged projections :22, on which are secred metallic contactstrips 23, having fiat ends or extremities 24, to which the terminals 17 are connected. The strips 20 and 23 are formed of resilient material, and the ends opposite the ends,21 and 24, respectively, thereof are rebent or turned over the bodies of said strips to provideyielding loops 25, which have upwardly-fiaring ends 26 and depending side lips 27, located over entrant edge slots 28 in the bodies of the strips beneath said loops. All of the strips are of preoisely the same construction, and one of the same is clearly shown by Fig. 3, and it is intended to use the said strips in devices other than ceiling-blocks wherc an aecnrate and positive contact is desired. Between the strips 20 and 23 arc oppositely-extending fnse-wires 29, which may be in the :form of narrow bauds at cimes, thongh wires are prelerred, the said wires being arranged between contignons side edges of the strips and pass under the adjacent lips 27. When the cover is inserted in place in the baseblock, the loops 25 are pressed toward tl1e bodies of the strips forming a part thereof and the said lips move toward and into the slots 28 and fir1nly bind, at one side at least, against the said fuse-strips and insnre aperfeot contact and retention of the fnse-strips in place. This structure perxnits the fusestrips to be easily inserted in the strips 20 and 98 without delay, so that replacement of said fnscstrips may be qnickly carried on at any time in the event ot a bnrn-ont.

The improvcd device as an entirety is stron;r and durable, the parts are easily as scmbled, and also of a cheap nature. y making the strips 90 and 23 all of the same form a material rcdnction in the cost of man 11- factnre resnlls, and the parts will be more convenient in assemblage.,

Tho resilient contact-pieces 5, having tl1e cxteriorly-located resilient hoolcs of corrugated form and open at the bottom, is also anothcr advantageous fcatnrc of construc tion, as the main conductors can be readily placcd in said hooks and held against disconnection by the corrngations which close the throats of the hooks. This form of contactpicce serves to as li rmly hold the condnctors as'the clamps commonly cmployed withont tl1e disadvantagcs incident to the use of clamps and the delay in sccnring (ho samc on the condnctors.

IIaving thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is 1. In an electric eut-ont of the class set forth, the oombination of a base-blockhaving diametrically-disposed contact-pieces comprising; inn 'ardly-extending horizontal members and exteriorly -located vertically-disposcd eorrugated hooks open at the bottom, the inwardlyextending members forming seats with adjacent portions of the block, a cover havinga series of contactstrips of similar form and comprising resilient loops With dcpending lips over portions of the bodics thereof beneath fusible connections interposcd between 'the loops and held bythe lips and terminals attached to a portion of said strips, a part of the strips being arranged to engage the contact-pieces 01. the basc-block.

2. In an electric ont-ont of the class set; forth, the combination With a base-block having contact devices or places which in part engage the main eondnctors, of a cover having a series of contact-strips of similar form and comprising resilicnt loops Witl1 dcpending lips ovcr slots in the bodies thcreof beneath, fusible connections intcrposod betwcen the loops and held by the lips, and terminals attached to a portion of said strips, a part of the strips being arranged to engage the contact-places of the base-bloc];

3. A contact-strip for an electric eut-out havinga loop bent or extending thereovcr and providcd with depending lips at the sides whieh are localcd over side edge slots in tho body of the strip below the 100p.

In testimonythat I clai1n the foregoing as myown I have heret0 affixed my signature in thc prcsence of two witncsses.

CHARLES VESLEY DIXON.

\Vitnessesc WV. T. VAIDLER, CIIAS. O. DI'XON. 

